Luke's POV.
"Alpha, you're finally here."
Layla threw herself into my arms, her soft body pressed tightly against my chest, wrapped in a heavy cloud of perfume.
"It took me so much effort to book this love hotel. I promise you'll be satisfied."
The teasing made my heart stir with desire. I lowered my head and nipped at her earlobe. "For you, I even postponed my anniversary date with Aria."
Layla understood instantly. Her soft fingers brushed over my sensitive Adam's apple as she spoke in a syrupy voice, "Then I'll make it up to you properly."
I couldn't wait any longer. I carried her into the bedroom and tossed her onto the bed.
Intimate breaths soon filled the room. As I leaned down to kiss Layla, my peripheral vision caught sight of a document peeking out from the pocket of my suit jacket on the floor.
It was the anniversary gift I had prepared for Aria. An adoption agreement.
Aria had always longed for a child of her own. She would definitely love this gift.
Layla hooked her arms around my neck, clearly displeased by my distraction.
She was too passionate, like a blazing flame that set my entire body on fire. Not like Aria…
Aria!
I suddenly sat up and checked the time. It was already 11:30 p.m.
Aria was still waiting for me at the restaurant.
I hurried to get up and look for my clothes. Layla clung tightly to me from behind, her voice full of grievance. "What are you getting up for? You're not leaving!"
"Get some rest." I pried her hands off firmly and tried to soothe her. "I'll have a driver take you back tomorrow."
"You're going to see Aria, aren't you?" Layla's voice turned shrill as she grabbed my arm and refused to let go. "Luke, please don't leave. Stay with me tonight, just one night!"
My expression hardened, my voice carrying a warning. "Layla, don't forget who you are. Aria is my Luna. Today is our fifth wedding anniversary. I have to go back to her."
Her clinging irritated me. I flung her hand away forcefully. "Enough. Don't push me."
Layla fell back onto the bed and screamed hysterically. "What is Aria supposed to be! I'm the fated mate chosen for you by the Moon Goddess! Luke, come back! You can't leave me!"
I ignored her screaming, dressed quickly, and left.
I sped toward the restaurant I had reserved.
The streets at 11:30 p.m. were unusually empty. Most of the roadside shops had already closed, leaving only solitary streetlights glowing, a stark contrast to the daytime bustle.
The thought of Aria, weak and fragile, possibly waiting alone at the restaurant until midnight filled me with guilt, along with a faint sense of unease.
Why hadn't Aria contacted me? Was she angry, or was she feeling unwell?
When I saw her, I would explain everything properly. I'd say the Council work had suddenly become urgent, that I'd been overwhelmed and lost track of time…
The car finally stopped at the restaurant entrance. I shoved the door open and rushed inside.
A waiter was extinguishing the last light. Seeing me rush in, he stepped forward to stop me. "Alpha, we're already closed."
"That's impossible!" I panted, grabbing his arm. "Where is Aria? We agreed to meet here. Today is our wedding anniversary!"
The waiter hesitated, then asked politely, "Do you have a reservation?"
"Of course I do!" I gave him the private room number I had booked in advance. "I reserved it long ago. Didn't she come?"
The waiter checked the records and shook his head. "The room was indeed reserved under your name, but the guest never arrived. We didn't see your Luna either."
I frowned deeply as the unease inside me surged.
How could that be? I had repeatedly told Aria to wait for me. She had never disobeyed me before.
I pushed past the waiter and rushed into the restaurant despite his attempts to stop me, fumbling through the darkness until I found the private room.
I slapped the light switch on the wall. The crystal chandelier blazed to life instantly. The room was warm and romantic. A cake reading "Happy 5th Anniversary" sat at the center of the table, surrounded by Aria's favorite champagne roses. Everything had been prepared perfectly, exactly as I had instructed.
But the seats were empty.
Aria truly hadn't come.
A powerful sense of dread washed over me. I had a vague but terrible premonition.
No. Aria must have been feeling unwell, or something unexpected had delayed her. She must have called me. I simply hadn't noticed because I was indulging in the pleasure Layla gave me.
She had to be waiting for me at home.
I had to go back immediately, give her the gift, tell her we were about to have a "child," and sweet-talk her properly.
Aria loved me so much. She had never had the heart to truly be angry with me.
I grabbed my suit jacket, rushed out of the restaurant, and sped all the way home.
The moment I pushed the door open, I called out instinctively, "Aria! I'm home!"
